Evangelism: Constrained by Love

Evangelism: Constrained by Love Copyright Doug Blair, Waterloo ON, 2020

Song to a Confederate May 23, 2009

Yankee lad,

A midnight sentry.

On the graveyard watch tonight.

1

In this bitter autumn campaign

As our Rebels hold ‘em tight.

Fighting sleep,

The soldier’s struggle,

With the lives of troops at stake.

Fighting dampness, all a-shiver.

Singing, just to stay awake.

Perched on bluff,

And silhouetted,

With a chilly moon behind.

2

Easy target for my Springfield.

Morning sun-up, corpse they’ll find.

But the song

Drifts cross the valley,

In his soothing baritone,

Of a loving, reaching Saviour.

One, by mother’s side, I’d known.

Something of

A calling Jesus;

And a wanderer’s cry for peace;

3

And one bitter night’s unloading;

And the Spirit’s sweet release.

I had loved

My Mama’s rendering,

But I would not heed the call.

And with years of tramps and camps, since,

I’ve no heart for it at all.

So tonight

Oh foolish Yankee,

4

I will put the song to rest.

With a careful eye, a long breath

And a bullet through your breast.

Though sited

Down the cold, gray steel,

I cannot make this kill.

My trigger hand’s a-shakin’

And it isn’t from the chill.

Oh, blue-coat boy,

You’re “saved” again

5

To see the sun’s first rays.

I’ll not have Mama’s ghost, and yours,

To haunt me all my days…

…A million miles

I’ve traveled since.

And countless moons I’ve seen.

A business came, prosperity.

The war seemed but a dream.

One Christmas Eve,

Some long years’ thence,

6

I chanced to be afloat.

A break from work. A change of scene.

A festive riverboat.

And word got ‘round

The evening’s sport

Would be a talent fair.

“The lights, the song. Oh come along.

We’ve got to see you there.”

The program came.

I went outside.

7

I’d no love for this day.

And aft, I watched the big wheel churn

Its frigid wake away.

Another year.

Another gain.

By rights a sound success.

But like those waters swirling there,

Inside I was a mess.

Too cold it was.

I joined the throng.

8

I sat right at the rear.

A special guest, evangelist,

One Ira Sankey, here.

I’d heard the news.

I’d read the press.

His tour of Britain’s halls

With Moody; their effectiveness,

Their skill in Gospel calls.

And after songs

Of Yuletide hope,

9

This tall man took the stage.

His frame so straight, his dress so fine.

A prince in any age.

And then the voice.

That baritone!

My mother’s song begins.

Not Christmas cheer; the sentry’s here

To call me from my sins!

How’s this, I quake?

It must be so.

10

I’m here, but by some plan.

Oh Mama dear, I think that

Now I understand the man!

His words so true.

His voice so rich.

God’s presence fills the place.

I’ll leave my night. I see the Son.

I’m saved and by His Grace.

(A life was spared.

A song was sung.

11

His Christ had seen him through.

I’d heard the song. I’d come along.

And now, his Christ I knew.)

Evangelist

He was there for them

And they knew it

And his smiles and songs

12

Would brighten up the tent.

And the energy needed

To get through it

Was a joyful package

Timely, Heaven sent.

He was just like them

Nothing really special

13

Save that Jesus had

Arrested all his heart.

And accordian and banjo

Played their favourite

Songs of Zion

Building faith

Salvation to impart.

14

They were hurting

In a town

Close to rock-bottom

And the government

Offered little of relief

But the preachers

Set the stage for

15

Life abundant

Triggered simply

By repentance

And belief.

“He is here!

The Master yearns to do

His business

16

And to liberate

Where Satan has deceived.

And you’ve heard

The words of Gospel

Transformation.

Who is ready to

Step forward and receive?�

17

With Salvation

I will clothe your priests

With Salvation

Not innovation

18

Or lifestyle

Or anecdotes

End time observation

Or summer vacation.

Yes, clothed with it

Reminiscent of it

Fragrant with it

19

And little else.

For there is the joy

Discovering plenteous redemption

Not earned

Not learned

But graciously laid out

For wearing and sharing.

20

New clothes, righteous.

In this shall saints

Loudly shout, laugh

And marvel.

Ever thankful.

Fueled for the Master

Purchased, begotten

21

And blessed.

Then doors of praise

And manifestation

And all the rest.

Psalm 132: 16

22